Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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293. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for the National Rehabilitation Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41271/17]

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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294. To ask the Minister for Health the number of beds in the National Rehabilitation Hospital; the number occupied, empty and closed, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41272/17]

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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295. To ask the Minister for Health whether funding issues are causing beds at the National Rehabilitation Hospital to remain empty and not staffed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41273/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 293 to 295, inclusive, together.

The National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) provides specialist rehabilitation services (inpatient, outpatient and day-patient services) to patients with complex needs, who have acquired a physical or cognitive disability as a result of an accident, illness or injury and require specialist medical rehabilitation services. The Government recognises the excellent rehabilitation programme which the National Rehabilitation Hospital delivers and the Hospital's excellent patient outcomes.

The complexity and acuity of patients referred to the NRH for rehabilitation programmes has increased in recent years, resulting in greater challenges for the hospital. I understand that in response to this, the NRH reduced its existing bed capacity to enable the hospital to provide a safe and appropriate level of care from within existing resources.

As the Deputy's questions relates to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive for a detailed direct response to the Deputy.